Yeah the answer to maintain retention of the non-pre paid (non-sub), is to remove content barriers - I dislike the sub and F2P model unless the sub was basically a pre-purchase at a discount of an amount of in game currency.
Its pretty obvious that AoC and other restrictive content games will have a massively low retention rate of non-subscription players and the conversion of this to paying will be low. The maths is simple more MUA plus high retention = more money!
Actually the restrictions will probably lead to a retention drop off and they will loss out on an opportunity of converting Free to paying.
Treating a Free to pay customer as a second rate citizen or placing restrictions that stop someone being competitive.
Not sure aout the subscription and F2P mix, unless a subscription was basically a monthly in-game credit advancement, and the bonuses were accessible to all as in-game-purchases.
It survives because of its high social dependency (you can't achieve anything alone), massive grind for reward. Yes the game is done well and it is fun to play but so are others.
Sorry to hammer things in a different direction but perhaps extensive warming up and stretches on hands and wrist is better than finding a different way to attribute to the same problem.
I did Aikido for many years and still stretch/warm up several times a day for a fair few minutes - not as good as I use to be thou. Also exercising arms/shoulders/wrists helps, get a broom and roll it alternating your hand, both directions. Grab an axe and chop wood. Sweep the yard! Just use you hands and wrists!
Good article btw. I am all for mouse/controller modifications!
I doubt TOR will dent Lotr because its a subscription game, seem mental that they haven't watched what happened to Rift - which seems a highly polished game but peaked then lost retention due to the fact that they were competing with WoW.
Give it up, make TOR F2P and they might compete against GW2.
The real threat is GW2 as it is effectively free to play, box sale thats it!
My bet is TOR will peak then drop to 20-30% retention or less after the first month or two.
War of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer
Nov 15th 2011 9:59PM (Massively)The Daily Grind: How should free-to-play games restrict content?
Oct 24th 2011 9:10AM (Massively)Its pretty obvious that AoC and other restrictive content games will have a massively low retention rate of non-subscription players and the conversion of this to paying will be low. The maths is simple more MUA plus high retention = more money!
The Daily Grind: What's your end-of-the-year MMO to-do list?
Oct 6th 2011 9:38AM (Massively)Lag lag, same here in Australia. I can't play AoC because of the lag, LoTR is passable.
I have to say Not much is really tickling me at all. Maybe GW2 for PvP. ToR sounds crap and it has a subscription (I don't prepay for crap).
Proposed Fallen Earth F2P chart separates the scavengers from the commanders
Sep 18th 2011 3:02AM (Massively)Actually the restrictions will probably lead to a retention drop off and they will loss out on an opportunity of converting Free to paying.
Treating a Free to pay customer as a second rate citizen or placing restrictions that stop someone being competitive.
Not sure aout the subscription and F2P mix, unless a subscription was basically a monthly in-game credit advancement, and the bonuses were accessible to all as in-game-purchases.
Heavy Rain developer estimates $13M loss on second-hand sales
Sep 12th 2011 12:06PM (Joystiq)I am sure you can get a cheap 2nd copy!
Mortal Online update expanding territory control features
Sep 12th 2011 11:48AM (Massively)What its not a F2P?
The Daily Grind: What will be the last sub game standing?
Sep 10th 2011 12:12PM (Massively)It survives because of its high social dependency (you can't achieve anything alone), massive grind for reward. Yes the game is done well and it is fun to play but so are others.
Ain't called WoWcrack for nothing.
The Secret World opens up about its hybrid pricing model
Aug 28th 2011 9:37PM (Joystiq)Times are changing, evolve your business model or suffer. GW2 will pound you!
Free for All: Using a controller to play your favorite MMO
Aug 25th 2011 12:15AM (Massively)Sorry to hammer things in a different direction but perhaps extensive warming up and stretches on hands and wrist is better than finding a different way to attribute to the same problem.
I did Aikido for many years and still stretch/warm up several times a day for a fair few minutes - not as good as I use to be thou. Also exercising arms/shoulders/wrists helps, get a broom and roll it alternating your hand, both directions. Grab an axe and chop wood. Sweep the yard! Just use you hands and wrists!
Good article btw. I am all for mouse/controller modifications!
The Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost
Aug 19th 2011 10:05PM (Massively)Give it up, make TOR F2P and they might compete against GW2.
The real threat is GW2 as it is effectively free to play, box sale thats it!
My bet is TOR will peak then drop to 20-30% retention or less after the first month or two.